"I should like that," answered Abraham, who heard the remark.

"We'll attend to that in season," said his father. "You shall try your skill all you want to one of these days." And Mr. Lincoln hurried away for his game. It was not more than five minutes before the discharge of his rifle was heard, and within five minutes more he returned with a turkey.

By this time Mrs. Lincoln had some simple food prepared for their morning meal, and just as they had finished partaking of it, Mr. Neale, the neighbor who promised to come and aid them in putting up a cabin, made his appearance.

"Good mornin', Mr. Neale? I hardly expected to see you so early," was Mr. Lincoln's greeting.

"Short days these, and when a family is without shelter, we must make the most of time," replied Mr. Neale. "But here is a piece of venison which my wife sent. She thought how good such a bite would have tasted to her two years ago, when we were doin' just what you are now."

"She is very kind," answered Mrs. Lincoln, taking the meat, and removing the cloth from it. "And it is all nicely cooked, too."

"Yes, she thought she could do that better than you can just now."

"How thoughtful she is! I hope we snall make as good neighbors to her as she is to us."

"I've just shot a turkey," said Mr. Lincoln,

"and my wife was goin' to try her hand at cookin' it. Game must be very plenty here."

"It can't be plentier; no danger of starvin' here; you can shoot deer and turkeys enough by goin' ten rods for your family the year round."

"That's a fine thing for pioneers like us." "We could n't do much if it wa'n't so."

"That's certain; I should hardly dare to get so far away from people if it wa'n't so."

"Nor anybody else. But I come to work; and now just tell me where to go at it, and I'll waste no more time. By the way, ain't this a real pleasant spot to camp down in ?"

"I don't think we could have found a pleasanter one," answered Mrs. Lincoln.

Mr. Lincoln and his new friend Neale, with little Abraham, proceeded to chopping trees, and preparing the logs for the house. For a boy of his age, Abraham exhibited remarkable tact and endurance, so much so as to elicit remarks from all, together with cautions against overdoing. His interest and energy in the new work denoted that he would be a pioneer boy of mark.

"Better build your home like mine," said Neale; "it's easy made and handy. There's nothing better than a half-faced camp."

"I'd as quick have that as any; I want to get our heads covered pretty soon. In fact, that was the kind of cabin we had in Kentucky."

"It won't take long to do that. We can cut nearly logs enough to-day; and then we can put it through in a hurry."

"Can you help me through with it?"

"O yes; that's what I'm goin' to do. I can do it as well as not."

"I'll try that you sha'n't be a loser. Perhaps you will want a good turn done you one of these days."

"No doubt I shall want a good many of them. There's Abe (and he glanced his eye at the boy, who was listening, evidently intending to compliment him), he 'll make such a worker that I shall want to have him try his hand for me some time." "He'll like to do it, I 'm thinkin'. Abe hain't a lazy bone in him."

"He'd work 'em all out, if he had, pretty soon, I reckon." Mr. Neale intended this remark for Abraham's ear, and the lad received it in the same spirit that it was given.

Thus chatting, working, and planning, the day was spent, the first day of Abraham's actual pioneer life, and much was done towards rearing an abode. On the following day, Mr. Wood, who had learned of their arrival, tendered his assistance.

We have not time to enter into particulars about the house-building. We can say no more, than that the house was ready to receive its tenants in two